Summer is a great time to reconnect with your children, especially after a busy school year.
While summer can still be busy, there are a lot more opportunities to slow down and get to know your kids better. Often in the unplanned moments, you can gain a better understanding of their budding personalities, interests and talents.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to spending quality bonding during the summer season but below we share several guidelines that may work well in certain situations:
Reconnecting with Your Children Takes Planning
If you want to engage with your kids and have memorable experiences, it’s important to plan ahead.
Just because your kids are out for the summer, doesn’t mean that your work and responsibilities stop. Often, as working parents, summer can be more stressful. Spending quality time with your kids may require you to plan ahead.
This means being present both mentally and physically. Make sure you’re not distracted by work, your phone, or other things when you’re spending time with them. Do your best to set aside time each day to walk away from distractions and spend time with your kiddos.
Get Outside
One of the best ways to bond with your kids is to get outside and enjoy the summer weather together.
Unfortunately, the Texas summer heat can be prohibitive when it comes to outdoor summer activities. In order to enjoy time outdoors with your kids, you may need to seek out a pool or water park.
Additionally, often the morning hours and evening hours can provide a small amount of reprieve from the oppressing summer heat. Planning activities that you can do while the sun is not out can make for a more pleasant experience for everyone. Just remember to wear bug spray so your kids don’t get carried off by a Texas sized mosquito.
There are also endless possibilities for summer activities before the weather gets too hot. Whether it’s going for a hike, playing sports, or simply exploring your neighborhood, you don’t have to make summer activities with your kids very complicated.
Be Flexible
While you reconnect with your children, anything can happen. So it’s important to be flexible in your plans and go with the flow.
Things might not always go as you expect, but that’s all part of the fun.
Flexibility is a requirement for all parents, whether your kids are young or grown. Maintaining the ability to go with the flow will help make the summer fun for everyone in the family.
Reconnect with Your Children and Make It Special
Even if you’re just doing everyday activities, make them feel special by giving your undivided attention. Our boring, everyday chores and activities don’t stop just because our kids are out of school.
Allow your kids to help you pick out groceries at the store, involve them in meal planning, or ask them to help you sweep the floor. Depending on the age of your kids, you can have them do more or less complicated tasks around the house. Our job as parents is to prepare our children for adulthood and not just entertain them all day.
The summer is a great time to teach them a new skill and spend special time with your child.
Take Advantage of Teachable Moments
Summer is a great time to teach your kids new things or help them practice existing skills.
You can take advantage of teachable moments by turning everyday activities into learning opportunities.
For example, if you’re cooking dinner together, you can teach them about measuring ingredients, following a recipe, or cooking safety.
Be Silly
One of the best parts of being a kid is getting to be silly and have fun. So don’t take yourself too seriously when you’re spending time with your kids.
Let loose, be goofy, and enjoy their company. Taking this approach with make it easier to reconnect with children during the summer months.
Put on some fun music and have a dance party. Have a family movie night with popcorn or treats. Put on your bathing suits and run through the sprinklers together.
Connect on a Deeper Level
Quality bonding time doesn’t always have to be about doing a specific activity. Just being present with your child in the moment is often all they want.
Time together can also be about just being with one another and connecting on a deeper level. Often conversation, sharing stories or bonding over a shared interest will give you greater connection with your child. Summer is a great time to slow down and take advantage of the extra time together to connect.
Keep It Positive
Try to focus on the positive when you’re spending time with your kids. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid important topics, but try to keep the overall tone light and upbeat.
It is important to have time to discuss serious topics with your children, but also make sure to take time to keep things positive. With so much trouble in the world, our kids are looking to us to keep things positive.
Be Patient
Just like with anything else in parenting, patience is key. Things might not always go as planned, but it’s important to remain calm and patient.
Whether your kids are in diapers or are about the graduate high school, everyone needs a little patience. Without a routine or schedule, summer can feel like a time that tests your parenting patience. Relax and take a moment to know that this season will not last. Enjoy your kids while they are home for the summer and sprinkle on an extra dose of patience.
This will help create a more positive experience for both you and your kids.
Have Fun!
Last but not least, make sure you’re having fun too! If you’re not enjoying yourself, it’s unlikely that your kids will be either.
Find activities that you enjoy and make the most of your time together.
Summer is a great time to reconnect with your kids and create lasting memories. By following the tips above, you can make the most of your time together and create bonds that will last a lifetime.
© 127 Pediatrics, June 2022; Updated May 2023
Dr. Andrea Wadley is the owner, pediatrician, and breastfeeding medicine specialist for 127 Pediatrics. She has an established house calls pediatric practice in Colleyville, TX. She sees families in Tarrant county for concierge breastfeeding medicine consults, lactation consults, fourth-trimester care, tongue tie clipping, and medical ear piercing.
